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Motlanthe elected as SA president Motlanthe elected as SA president
(10 minutes later)
South Africa's parliament has elected ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe as interim president to replace Thabo Mbeki, who is stepping down.South Africa's parliament has elected ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe as interim president to replace Thabo Mbeki, who is stepping down.
Mr Motlanthe won three-quarters of the votes cast in a secret ballot of MPs in Cape Town and will be sworn in later.Mr Motlanthe won three-quarters of the votes cast in a secret ballot of MPs in Cape Town and will be sworn in later.
The veteran ANC official is seen as a figure who could ease tensions between supporters of Mr Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. After his election, Mr Motlanthe vowed to continue on the same economic path that has "kept South Africa steady".
He will serve until polls next year, when Mr Zuma, as ANC leader, is widely expected to become president. Mr Motlanthe will serve until polls next year, when Mr Zuma, as ANC leader, is widely expected to become president.
Mr Mbeki announced his resignation on Sunday amid claims of political interference in a corruption case against Mr Zuma.Mr Mbeki announced his resignation on Sunday amid claims of political interference in a corruption case against Mr Zuma.
He denies the allegations but said he was stepping down in the interests of party unity, as the ANC (African National Congress) leadership said it was recalling him.He denies the allegations but said he was stepping down in the interests of party unity, as the ANC (African National Congress) leadership said it was recalling him.
Smooth transition?Smooth transition?
Mr Motlanthe is a long-serving member of the party hierarchy and a man generally seen as a safe pair of hands, says the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles.Mr Motlanthe is a long-serving member of the party hierarchy and a man generally seen as a safe pair of hands, says the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles.
South Africans speak out about Thabo Mbeki's resignationIn picturesSouth Africans speak out about Thabo Mbeki's resignationIn pictures
During the apartheid years, he was imprisoned on Robben Island along with Nelson Mandela.During the apartheid years, he was imprisoned on Robben Island along with Nelson Mandela.
After his release in 1987, he became a top official of the National Union of Mineworkers and then the ANC, although he only became an MP in May this year.After his release in 1987, he became a top official of the National Union of Mineworkers and then the ANC, although he only became an MP in May this year.
South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance had put forward chairman Joe Seremane to challenge in the presidential vote, but as the ANC has a huge majority, Mr Motlanthe's victory was a foregone conclusion.South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance had put forward chairman Joe Seremane to challenge in the presidential vote, but as the ANC has a huge majority, Mr Motlanthe's victory was a foregone conclusion.
He won 269 of the 368 votes cast, said Chief Justice Pius Langa of the constitutional court.He won 269 of the 368 votes cast, said Chief Justice Pius Langa of the constitutional court.
"I accordingly declare the honourable Kgalema Motlanthe the duly elected president of the republic of South Africa," he added, to loud cheers from the national assembly."I accordingly declare the honourable Kgalema Motlanthe the duly elected president of the republic of South Africa," he added, to loud cheers from the national assembly.
However, there were more than 40 spoiled ballots, which suggests a protest by some MPs, our correspondent says.However, there were more than 40 spoiled ballots, which suggests a protest by some MPs, our correspondent says.
One of the interim leader's immediate tasks will be to ensure a smooth political transition given much talk of feuding and divisions within the ANC, our correspondent adds. In his first speech as president, Mr Motlanthe promised the country's economic policies would not change, and that he would intensify efforts to create more jobs.
"In a turbulent global economy, we will remain true to the policies that have kept South Africa steady, and that have ensured sustained growth," he said.
Mr Molanthe is seen as a figure who can help to ease tensions between supporters of Mr Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
One of his tasks will be to ensure a smooth political transition given much talk of feuding and divisions within the ANC, our correspondent adds.
Mr Zuma is not an MP and so was not eligible to be elected president. He watched Thursday's vote from the public gallery.Mr Zuma is not an MP and so was not eligible to be elected president. He watched Thursday's vote from the public gallery.
Mr Mbeki had been invited to attend the parliamentary session, but declined.Mr Mbeki had been invited to attend the parliamentary session, but declined.
Flurry of resignationsFlurry of resignations
Earlier, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe described Mr Mbeki's resignation as "devastating".Earlier, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe described Mr Mbeki's resignation as "devastating".
KGALEMA MOTLANTHE 1949: Born 1967: Detained for 11 months1977: Sentenced to 10 years on Robben Island 1987: Joined National Union of Mineworkers, rising to become its secretary-general1997: Elected ANC secretary-general2007: Elected ANC's deputy president2008: Becomes an MP and minister without portfolio Motlanthe: Safe handsKGALEMA MOTLANTHE 1949: Born 1967: Detained for 11 months1977: Sentenced to 10 years on Robben Island 1987: Joined National Union of Mineworkers, rising to become its secretary-general1997: Elected ANC secretary-general2007: Elected ANC's deputy president2008: Becomes an MP and minister without portfolio Motlanthe: Safe hands
Mr Mbeki was the key mediator during months of negotiations that recently led to a power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe.Mr Mbeki was the key mediator during months of negotiations that recently led to a power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe.
"It's devastating news that President Mbeki is no longer president... but that is the action of the South African people," he was quoted as saying by Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper."It's devastating news that President Mbeki is no longer president... but that is the action of the South African people," he was quoted as saying by Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper.
"Who are we to judge them? But it is very disturbing.""Who are we to judge them? But it is very disturbing."
It is not clear whether Mr Mbeki will continue with his role.It is not clear whether Mr Mbeki will continue with his role.
Mr Mbeki's departure led to a flurry of resignations from the cabinet and caused uncertainty on the markets.Mr Mbeki's departure led to a flurry of resignations from the cabinet and caused uncertainty on the markets.
The widely-respected Finance Minister Trevor Manuel was among 11 cabinet ministers who resigned, but he has said he would be happy to serve a new president.The widely-respected Finance Minister Trevor Manuel was among 11 cabinet ministers who resigned, but he has said he would be happy to serve a new president.
But Mr Zuma, who enjoys much of his support from people who say the government should do more to relieve poverty, has stressed there will be no change of economic policy.
Corruption charges against Mr Zuma were thrown out by a court earlier this month on a legal technicality.Corruption charges against Mr Zuma were thrown out by a court earlier this month on a legal technicality.
It remains unclear whether they will be pressed for a third time.It remains unclear whether they will be pressed for a third time.
His supporters have long claimed that a series of charges against him were part of a plot to stop him becoming president.His supporters have long claimed that a series of charges against him were part of a plot to stop him becoming president.